Walrus updates its 385 overdrive pedal with a gainier, more versatile MKII

News
By
published

Additions include a new 385+ Switch adding high-gain saturation, and there's two finish options too

Walrus Audio
(Image credit: Walrus Audio)

We could pretend we're tired of new pedals being announced so we can catch a breath, but really we love it. And an update of one of Walrus Audio's very best overdrive pedals is news we're happy to share. Especially as the 385 MKII has some genuinely appealing additions to its features.

The blueprint of the 2016 original was based on a seemingly unlikely source – the 'James'-style tone stack of the original Bell & Howell 385 Filmosound projector's amp that just so happens to sound great when emulated for a responsive overdrive. Now Walrus has added a whole second switch called 385+ to add high-gain saturation to the front of the circuit.

Furthering this versatility is the A/B switch with two separate volume and gain settings to move between, and internally increased voltage for more headroom and dynamics. We'd say this a a significant upgrade that could easily make the purchase justified for existing owners as well as newcomers.  

It's available for $249 / €279 / £239 shipping from the end of October with the choice of two versions; flat black with cream design and black with yellow / red ink design. 

More info at Walrus Audio, and demos below. 

Rob Laing
Rob Laing
Reviews Editor, GuitarWorld.com and MusicRadar guitars

Rob is the Reviews Editor for GuitarWorld.com and MusicRadar guitars, so spends most of his waking hours (and beyond) thinking about and trying the latest gear while making sure our reviews team is giving you thorough and honest tests of it. He's worked for guitar mags and sites as a writer and editor for nearly 20 years but still winces at the thought of restringing anything with a Floyd Rose.